“The upgrade work will include
installing integrated battle stations, which have moving maps and
enhanced diagnostics systems, as well as the establishment of an
automation system that makes an aircraft a more lethal weapon delivery
platform”

This research report titled ‘Global
Strategic Bomber Market 2016-2020’ provides an in-depth analysis
of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This
market research report also includes up to date analysis and forecasts
for various market segments and all geographical regions.

In 2015, the Americas had the highest market share of 54.5% due to the
ongoing investments for the sustainment of strategic bomber fleets.
Simultaneously, investments in the development of new-generation
strategic bombers will also play a substantial role in propelling the
market in the coming decades.

“In the last couple of years, air forces of Russia and China have
increased the use of strategic bombers. For instance, Russia is
employing strategic bombers to drop heavy munitions to neutralize the
rebel forces in Syria, whereas China is developing advanced strategic
bombers to maintain its dominance in the South China Sea as well as to
combat in long-range warfare,” says Arushi Thakur, one of Technavio’s
industry experts for defense
research.

The report categorizes the global strategic bomber market into three
segments based on aircraft engine type:

Turbofan

Turbojet

Turboprop

Global turbofan engine strategic bombers market

Turbofan engines, also known as bypass jets, are the most
efficient engine type compared to its counterparts. With a massive
72.41% market share in 2015, the turbofan segment led the global
strategic bomber market and this growth will continue through 2020.
Turbofans are the modern version of aircraft turbine engines and are
found in most of the new generation supersonic strategic bombers.

In 1997, the US Air Force introduced one of the most sophisticated
long-range strategic bombers, the B-2 Spirit, which was designed and
manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The B-2 Spirit is powered by
four F118 non-afterburning turbofan engines developed by General
Electric, each generating 17,300 pound-force, allowing the aircraft
to reach a speed of 0.95 Mach at an altitude of 12,192 meters from sea
level. Since 1997, 21 of these aircraft entered into service in the US
Air Force.

Likewise, the Russian MoD, in collaboration with Kuznetsov, engaged in
the R&D efforts to generate up to 35 tons of thrust from the NK-32
afterburning turbofan engine that powers Tu-160 strategic bombers. Such
sustainment and modernization efforts for turbofan-powered strategic
bombers will have a substantial positive impact on the growth of the
market in the coming years.

Global turbojet strategic bombers market

Turbojet engines are the simplest form of all aircraft
turbine engines that consist of four sections, namely
compressor, combustion chamber, a turbine section, and exhaust. Turbojet
engine-powered strategic bombers have been in service since 1952.
Therefore, the need to upgrade the existing technology will be driving
the market during the forecast period.

The US Air Force currently operates over 60 B-1B Lancer turbojet
engine-powered strategic bombers. Over the years, these aircraft
underwent numerous technological upgrades to ensure optimum operational
capability. In February 2016, the US DoD announced its plan to pull out
the B-1B Lancer bombers from its combat mission against Islamic State
(IS) in Iraq and Syria, and subsequently, replace them with the B-52
Stratofortress. This strategic move was planned with an aim to modernize
the aging fleet of B-1B Lancers. “The upgrade work will include
installing integrated battle stations, which have moving maps and
enhanced diagnostics systems, as well as the establishment of an
automation system that makes an aircraft a more lethal weapon delivery
platform,” adds Arushi.

Global turboprop engine strategic bombers market

Turboprop engines provide a greater fuel efficiency and performance at
slower airspeeds as compared with turbofans and turbojets. This type of
engine is operational only in Tu-95 strategic bombers in service with
the Russian Air Force since 1956.

In 2013, the Russian MoD initiated modernization programs for its Tu-95
strategic bombers with an aim of enhancing the avionics and the weapon
delivery systems of its 16 aircraft fleet. Despite being old, the prime
objective of the Russian MoD was to ensure that these aircraft remain
operational until 2025-2030. However, the engines and airframes of Tu-95
strategic bombers will not be upgraded.

In November 2015, Russian Machines, a Russian conglomerate, delivered
the first upgraded Tu-95 strategic bombers that can carry nuclear-tipped
missiles. Also, the upgraded Tu-95 is equipped with advanced
radio-radar and target navigation system, which
functionality is based on the global navigation satellite system.
Such development efforts in this segment will drive the strategic bomber
market during the forecast period.

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